Western Australian police hunting escaped prisoner

Western Australian police are hunting a man who escaped from custody yesterday.

Michael James Hayward, 20, was being transported from Armadale Hospital to a prison facility when he escaped from his guards.

He was last seen around 10.25am yesterday at the intersection of Albany Highway and South West Highway in Armadale, south-east of Perth.

Police are investigating reports of a sighting of Hayward at a shopping centre in Seville Grove shortly afterward.

He is serving a two and a half year sentence for robbery offences.

Hayward has a cast on his right arm and is described as 170cm tall with a slim build.

At the time of his escape he was wearing his green prison uniform.

Police are advising members of the public not to approach Hayward if seen and to report any information on his whereabouts to 131 444.